Present there on invitation were Ambassador Jesus De Los Angeles Aise Sotolongo and staff members of the Cuban embassy here.

Present there were Kim Sung Du, chairman of the Educational Commission and chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with Cuba, and others, officials concerned and people in the city.

Kim Sung Du said in a speech that Fidel Castro Ruz's visit to the DPRK was an important occasion that strikingly demonstrated the firm will of the parties and the peoples of the two countries to carry on the struggle for the victory of the socialist cause under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism.

He stressed that the Korean people will regard the Cuban people as the brothers and sisters of the same class and comrades-in-arms standing together on the forefront of the struggle against the imperialists and the U.S. and will make all efforts to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

The Cuban ambassador said that the Cuban people have kept in their minds the cordial hospitality and warm feelings of the Korean people showed for Fidel Castro Ruz during his visit to the DPRK.

Cuba will always and invariably extend support and encouragement to the Korean people in their just cause to achieve the country's peaceful reunification and preserve socialism, he said, expressing the belief that fraternal friendship between the two countries will be forever.